Bayrou is an important partner in Macron’s centrist alliance, has been a well-known figure in French politics for decades.
French President, Emmanuel Macron, on Friday named 73-year old centrist ally François Bayrou as the prime minister.
Bayrou is an important partner in Macron’s centrist alliance, has been a well-known figure in French politics for decades.
Bayrou “has also been charged with forming a new government.”
Bayrou leads the centrist Democratic Movement, known as MoDem, which he founded in 2007.
In 2017, he supported Macron’s first presidential bid.
After his was appointment as justice minister, he quickly resigned from the government.
His resignation followed an investigation into the MoDem’s alleged embezzlement of European Parliament funds.
Bayrou this year was cleared in the case by a Paris court, which found eight other party officials guilty and sentenced the party to pay a fine.
Bayrou became well known to the French public when he was education minister from 1993 to 1997 in a conservative government.
He was three times a candidate for president, in 2002, 2007 and 2012.
His appointment comes as no single party holds a majority at the National Assembly.
It also follows a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government last week.
His appointment also follows the resignation of Prime Minister Michel Barnier following a no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes in the National Assembly.
His resignation had left France without a functioning government.
Macron in an address to the nation vowed to remain in office until his term ends in 2027.
Bayrou’s appointment is also in line with Macron’s efforts to build a non-aggression pact with the Socialists so that they commit not to vote against the government in any future confidence motion.